Asia – Kashmir Agehttps://kashmirage.net
- No. 1 English News Paper of J&KSun, 04 Aug 2019 11:43:46 +0000en-US
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1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.2.3LoC Villagers In Pakistan Issued Free Arm Licenseshttps://kashmirage.net/2019/08/04/loc-villagers-in-pakistan-issued-free-arm-licenses/
Sun, 04 Aug 2019 11:35:45 +0000https://kashmirage.net/?p=86643Srinagar: Pakistan Administered Kashmir (PaK) government has directed all the deputy commissioners and assistant commissioners to issue free arm licenses and renew earlier ones without fee to the members of village defence committees in the five kilometer radius of Line of control (LoC), Lahore based The Nation reported. According to a notification, the directives have been […]]]>

Srinagar: Pakistan Administered Kashmir (PaK) government has directed all the deputy commissioners and assistant commissioners to issue free arm licenses and renew earlier ones without fee to the members of village defence committees in the five kilometer radius of Line of control (LoC), Lahore based The Nation reported.

According to a notification, the directives have been issue in the wake of prevailing situation at LoC, so that the people could defend themselves in the war-like circumstances created by cross-LoC firing and shelling by Indian army.

All the district magistrates had been directed to recommend the names of members of village defence committees for issuance of licences of non-prohibited arms in their favour for their self-protection, the notification added.

The Nation

]]>Time To End The Long Night Of Suffering For Kashmiris: Imran Khanhttps://kashmirage.net/2019/08/04/time-to-end-the-long-night-of-suffering-for-kashmiris-imran-khan/
Sun, 04 Aug 2019 11:15:02 +0000https://kashmirage.net/?p=86634Srinagar: In a major political statement in the recent past, Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, on Sunday has said that it is time to end the long night of suffering for the people of Kashmir. He said that the people of Kashmir must be allowed to exercise their right to self determination according to United Nation […]]]>

Srinagar: In a major political statement in the recent past, Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, on Sunday has said that it is time to end the long night of suffering for the people of Kashmir.

He said that the people of Kashmir must be allowed to exercise their right to self determination according to United Nation SC resolutions.

Taking to his official twitter handle, Imran wrote, “It is time to end the long night of suffering for the people of Occupied Kashmir. They must be allowed to exercise their right to self determination according to UN SC resolutions.The only road to peace & security in South Asia runs through a peaceful & just settlement of Kashmir.”(SIC)

He also condemned “India’s attack on innocent civilians on LoC.

It is time to end the long night of suffering for the people of Occupied Kashmir. They must be allowed to exercise their right to self determination according to UN SC resolutions.The only road to peace & security in South Asia runs through a peaceful & just settlement of Kashmir

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) August 4, 2019

]]>Pak urges US to “persuade” India to start talks on Kashmirhttps://kashmirage.net/2019/08/03/pak-urges-us-to-persuade-india-to-start-talks-on-kashmir/
Sat, 03 Aug 2019 04:41:53 +0000https://kashmirage.net/?p=86425Islamabad: Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Friday urged the US to use its “influence” to “persuade” India to start talks on the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue. Qureshi’s remarks came after US President Donald Trump said Kashmir was a bilateral matter between India and Pakistan but he would be happy to mediate […]]]>

Islamabad: Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Friday urged the US to use its “influence” to “persuade” India to start talks on the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue.

Qureshi’s remarks came after US President Donald Trump said Kashmir was a bilateral matter between India and Pakistan but he would be happy to mediate if they want him to do so.

The Foreign Minister said India was avoiding the talks and did not appear willing to negotiate on the matter.

“India insists it is a bilateral matter, but it is not even willing to come to the table for talks,” told Geo News.

“India won’t agree easily to the Kashmir talks. (We urge) the US to exercise its influence and persuade India (to come to the table),” he said.

Qureshi said he will also write a letter to the United Nations chief Antonio Guterres.

Earlier, rejecting any mediation by Trump on Kashmir, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday made it clear to his American counterpart Mike Pompeo that “any discussion on the issue, if at all warranted, will only be with Pakistan and only bilaterally”.

Last month, President Trump offered to be the “mediator” between India and Pakistan on the Kashmir issue when he met Prime Minister Imran Khan for the first time at the White House.

“Trump offered mediation keeping in view the regional situation. We thank (him) for the offer, and we have expressed our willingness,” Qureshi said.

“We want peace. Our focus right now is the Afghan peace process. If India (tries to) create any obstacle to the peace process in Afghanistan, then regional peace will suffer,” he said.

Last week, in his joint media appearance with Pakistan Prime Minister Khan in Oval Office, Trump stunned India by saying that Modi sought his mediation/arbitration on the Kashmir issue.

India quickly denied it and said the Kashmir issue was never discussed between Modi and Trump.

Jaishankar made a statement in Parliament strongly refuting that the Prime Minister had ever made such a request.

NDTV journalist Ravish Kumar has been honoured with the 2019 Ramon Magsaysay Award — the highest honour given to Asian individuals and organisations and often referred to as the Asian version of the Nobel Prize.

“In electing Ravish Kumar to receive the 2019 Ramon Magsaysay Award, the board of trustees recognizes his unfaltering commitment to a professional, ethical journalism of the highest standards; his moral courage in standing up for truth, integrity and independence; and his principled belief that it is in giving full and respectful voice to the voiceless, in speaking truth bravely yet soberly to power, that journalism fulfills its noblest aims to advance democracy,” Kumar’s citation stated.

“As an anchor, Ravish is sober, incisive, and well-informed. He does not dominate his guests but affords them the chance to express themselves. He does not balk, however, at calling the highest officials to account or criticizing media and the state of public discourse in the country; for this reason, he has been harassed and threatened by rabid partisans of one kind or another.

“Through all the perils and aggravations, Ravish has remained consistent in his effort to preserve and widen the space for a critical, socially responsible media. Keeping faith with a journalism that puts service to the people at its center, Ravish sums up what he believes a journalist is in the most basic terms: “If you have become the voice of the people, you are a journalist,” it added.

Ramon Magsaysay Award@MagsaysayAward

These are the five recipients of Asia’s premier prize and highest honor, the 2019 Ramon Magsaysay Awardees. #RamonMagsaysayAward

Ko Swe Win is a human rights defender and the chief editor of Myanmar Now news agency. He has written extensively on human rights cases that involve physical injury or death, unlawful detention or miscarriage of justice in Myanmar. In September 2016, he received the President’s Certificate of Honour from the Myanmar Ministry of Information for an investigative report he wrote exposing the abuse of two teenage maids by their employers in a Yangon tailor shop.

Wife of disappeared human rights lawyer, Amnesty International described Angkhana Neelapaijit as “a leading human rights defender in Southern Thailand”. She is currently the chairwoman of the Working Group for Justice and Peace, and continues to investigate allegations of police abuse in Southern Thailand.

Musical leader Raymundo Pujante Cayabyab’s contributions as a composer, arranger, music director, conductor, performer, and educator have been huge in Phillippines. He has served in the music faculty of the University of the Philippines, runs a music studio with his wife, and has conducted free workshops for thousands of students all across the country.

Kim Jong Ki is a South Korean agrarian movement leader, Christian and philosopher who pioneered wasteland cultivation, and strove to demonstrate through his work that life as a farmer can be fulfilling and productive. “In electing KIM YONG-KI to receive the 1966 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service, the Board of Trustees recognizes his example of Christian principles practically applied to improve agriculture and imbue rural life with new joy and dignity,” a citation by the institute read.

The Magsaysay Award winners will each receive a certificate, a medallion bearing the image of the late Filipino leader Ramon Magsaysay, and a cash prize. They will be conferred with the Magsaysay Award during a formal presentation ceremony at a later date.

]]>India evaluating Pak proposal for consular access to Jadhavhttps://kashmirage.net/2019/08/02/india-evaluating-pak-proposal-for-consular-access-to-jadhav/
Fri, 02 Aug 2019 03:05:46 +0000https://kashmirage.net/?p=86282New Delhi, Aug 1: India on Thursday said that it will evaluate the proposal sent by Pakistan allowing consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav, jailed in Pakistan for the past three years on charges of espionage. At his regular media briefing, External Affairs Ministry’s official spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said that Pakistan’s proposal was being evaluated as […]]]>

New Delhi, Aug 1: India on Thursday said that it will evaluate the proposal sent by Pakistan allowing consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav, jailed in Pakistan for the past three years on charges of espionage.
At his regular media briefing, External Affairs Ministry’s official spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said that Pakistan’s proposal was being evaluated as per the guidelines given by the International Court of Justice (ICJ). “Whatever response is to be sent will be given by us timely through diplomatic channels,’ he said.
“We have received a proposal from Pakistan. We are evaluating the proposal in the light of ICJ judgement. We will maintain communication with Pakistan in this matter through diplomatic channels,’ the spokesperson said.
The ICJ had ruled on July 17 that Pakistan must review the death sentence of Kulbhushan Jadhav and asked it to grant consular access to Mr Jadhav who was convicted by a military court and awarded death sentence. The world court had also asked Islamabad to suspend the death sentence of Mr Jadhav. The ICJ agreed with India’s stand that Pakistan had violated the Vienna convention by denying consular access to Mr Jadhav after his conviction in a “farcical” closed trial.
After the ICJ order, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said in a tweet: “Truth and justice have prevailed. I am sure Kulbhushan Jadhav will get justice.”
Kulbhushan Jadhav, 49, a retired Indian Navy officer, who was carrying out his business activities in Chabahar in Iran was allegedly abducted by Pakistani agents, and forced to confess to charges of espionage and terrorism, India has maintained.
UNI

]]>Pakistan Has Offered Consular Access To Kulbhushan Jadhavhttps://kashmirage.net/2019/08/01/pakistan-has-offered-consular-access-to-kulbhushan-jadhav/
Thu, 01 Aug 2019 10:45:14 +0000https://kashmirage.net/?p=86222Srinagar: The development comes after the ICJ verdict, which granted India consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav and directed the Pakistani military court to suspend and review the death sentence accorded to him. India is yet to reply to Pakistan on the matter and the Ministry of External Affairs is likely to address the question in […]]]>

Srinagar: The development comes after the ICJ verdict, which granted India consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav and directed the Pakistani military court to suspend and review the death sentence accorded to him.

India is yet to reply to Pakistan on the matter and the Ministry of External Affairs is likely to address the question in a press briefing at 4:00 PM, News 18 reported.

India had reportedly made 18 requests for consular access to Pakistan.

Jadhav, 49, was arrested in March 2016 by Pakistani authorities and sentenced to death in April 2017 on “espionage and terrorism” charges.

]]>Indian spy arrested in Punjab province: Pak Policehttps://kashmirage.net/2019/08/01/indian-spy-arrested-in-punjab-province-pak-police/
Thu, 01 Aug 2019 05:31:05 +0000https://kashmirage.net/?p=86181Srinagar: Pakistan Police claimed to have arrested an “Indian spy” in Punjab province. Local media quoted police saying that they arrested an Indian national who “admitted” himself to be a spy. Police said the “spy”, identified as Raju Lakshman, was arrested on Wednesday from Rakhi Gaj area of Dera Ghazi Khan (DG Khan) district, some […]]]>

Srinagar: Pakistan Police claimed to have arrested an “Indian spy” in Punjab province. Local media quoted police saying that they arrested an Indian national who “admitted” himself to be a spy.

Police said the “spy”, identified as Raju Lakshman, was arrested on Wednesday from Rakhi Gaj area of Dera Ghazi Khan (DG Khan) district, some 400 kms from Lahore.

Police said Lakshman was arrested while entering D G Khan from Balochistan province.

He has been shifted to an undisclosed place for further investigation.

(PTI)

]]>US imposes sanctions on Iran’s FMhttps://kashmirage.net/2019/08/01/us-imposes-sanctions-on-irans-fm/
Thu, 01 Aug 2019 04:29:34 +0000https://kashmirage.net/?p=86157Washington, Aug 1: The US government on Wednesday announced that it has sanctioned Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, amid high tension between the two sides. The US Treasury Department alleged that Zarif “acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” […]]]>

Washington, Aug 1: The US government on Wednesday announced that it has sanctioned Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, amid high tension between the two sides.

The US Treasury Department alleged that Zarif “acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” who was placed under sanctions in June.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement, “Iran’s Foreign Ministry is not merely the diplomatic arm of the Islamic Republic but also a means of advancing many of the Supreme Leader’s destabilizing policies.”
Zarif quickly responded to the US action on social media, quipping that he was grateful to be considered a “huge threat.”
“It has no effect on me or my family, as I have no property or interests outside of Iran,” Xinhua quoted Zarif as saying. “Thank you for considering me such a huge threat to your agenda.” he added.
According to a Treasury Department statement, all property and interests in property of Zarif that are in the United States or in the possession or control of US persons must be blocked and reported to the U.S. government.
Any foreign financial institution that knowingly conducts or facilitates a significant transaction for or on behalf of Zarif would also face punishment by the US government.
Ties between the United States and Iran have deteriorated significantly after Washington walked away from the landmark 2015 Iran nuclear deal in May 2018 and reimposed energy and financial sanctions, which had been removed under the deal, on Iran.
Iran has suspended parts of its commitments subject to the nuclear deal and have threatened to go further.
The US government on June 24 imposed “hard-hitting” sanctions on Iran, partially targeting Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

US President Donald Trump said the move came after “a series of aggressive behaviors by the Iranian regime in recent weeks” including shooting down a US drone.
UNI

]]>PM Khan orders roll back of roti, naan prices across Pakistanhttps://kashmirage.net/2019/08/01/pm-khan-orders-roll-back-of-roti-naan-prices-across-pakistan/
Thu, 01 Aug 2019 02:37:03 +0000https://kashmirage.net/?p=86176Islamabad, Jul 31: The cash-strapped government of Prime Minister Imran Khan has decided to roll back the prices of naan and roti across Pakistan, media reports said on Wednesday, amid the public discontent against rising prices of essential commodities. Pakistan is facing a serious economic crisis with short supplies of foreign currency reserves and stagnating […]]]>

Islamabad, Jul 31: The cash-strapped government of Prime Minister Imran Khan has decided to roll back the prices of naan and roti across Pakistan, media reports said on Wednesday, amid the public discontent against rising prices of essential commodities.

Pakistan is facing a serious economic crisis with short supplies of foreign currency reserves and stagnating growth. The International Monetary Fund this month approved a USD 6 billion loan over a period of three years for Pakistan to allow the country to return to sustainable growth and improve the living standards of the people.

As Pakistan has initiated steps to implement tough economic reforms, the prices of petrol, gas and other essential food items have increased, hitting the common man.

Currently, naan is selling at Rs 12 to Rs 15 in different cities of Pakistan. However, before an increase in the gas tariff and rates of wheat flour, naan price ranged between Rs 8 and Rs 10. Similarly, roti is available at Rs 10 to Rs 12 while its previous rate was Rs 7 to Rs 8, the Dawn report said.

Taking note of the public discontent, the federal Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Khan decided on Tuesday to bring down prices of naan and roti to their previous rates throughout the country, the reports said.

Khan, taking stock of the increasing prices of naan and roti, decided to take immediate steps to revert them to their original rates, said Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan.

She said besides the Cabinet meeting the prime minister also presided over a meeting on gas tariff and rates of naan and roti.

She said the prime minister also called a meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Wednesday. The meeting is aimed at reducing the gas tariff, especially for Tandoorwalas, and cutting the price of Atta (wheat flour) and duties on it.

The IMF forecasts Pakistan’s economic growth will slow to 2.9 per cent this fiscal year from 5.2 per cent in 2018. In February, the State Bank of Pakistan, the country’s central bank had only USD 8 billion bn left in foreign reserves. (With Agency Inputs)

]]>Afghanistan: Roadside bomb blast claims 34 liveshttps://kashmirage.net/2019/07/31/afghanistan-roadside-bomb-blast-claims-34-lives/
Wed, 31 Jul 2019 06:02:42 +0000https://kashmirage.net/?p=86062 Kabul, Afghanistan, Jul 31: At least 34 people were killed in a roadside bomb blast on Herat-Kandhar Highway early on Wednesday morning, officials confirmed. TOLO news reported that the deceased included women and children. Security forces have sealed the entire area and details are awaited. The blast came a day after a suicide attack […]]]>

Kabul, Afghanistan, Jul 31: At least 34 people were killed in a roadside bomb blast on Herat-Kandhar Highway early on Wednesday morning, officials confirmed.
TOLO news reported that the deceased included women and children.
Security forces have sealed the entire area and details are awaited.
The blast came a day after a suicide attack at a busy market in Kandhar province claimed 3 lives and injured 23.
UNI